Dolphins center Mike Pouncey will have to undergo mental health evaluation before playing again

ORLANDO — The future of Dolphins Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey is now in the hands of mental health professionals.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Monday that “the three players” accused of harassment in Miami’s locker room — Pouncey and former Dolphins offensive linemen Richie Incognito and John Jerry — cannot play until they are evaluated by “a group” of professionals for medical or psychological issues.

“Depending on what the doctors prescribe for that, that could prevent them from being around football for some period of time,” Goodell said. “But that’s a medical decision.”

He did not say whether Pouncey and the others will also face a NFL suspension after they were accused of bullying former Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin along with several other teammates and an assistant trainer.

“Our focus right now, at least in the case of the three players, is that they be evaluated,” said Goodell at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. “We’ve talked to the union several times about that and we agreed that was the right first step.”

It was reported last week that Incognito, labeled in the NFL investigation as the bullying ringleader, would have to be cleared by mental health experts before playing again.

Incognito was suspended eight games last year for his role in the bullying scandal. After the investigation was released last month, Incognito smashed his own Ferrari with a baseball bat and spent time in a mental health facility.

But Pouncey and Jerry’s names did not emerge until the report was released last month and Goodell’s announcement that they too would need to be cleared medically came as a surprise.

In addition to harassment, Pouncey and Jerry were accused of lying to investigators.

Jerry signed with the New York Giants last week. Incognito is a free agent and has expressed interest in re-joining the Dolphins or playing for Oakland where former Miami coach Tony Sparano is the offensive line coach. So far no team has expressed interest.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said recently that Incognito would not return to Miami.

Martin, who visited a mental health facility after leaving the Dolphins in October and sought treatment last offseason after contemplating suicide, was traded to San Francisco earlier this month. Goodell did not say whether Martin will also be required to seek clearance from a mental health expert.

It’s been a year of turmoil for Pouncey, one of the top centers in the NFL who previously kept his name out of headlines.

Last summer, Pouncey and his twin brother, Pittsburgh center Maurkice Pouncey, were criticized for wearing “Free Hernandez” hats at a joint birthday party.

The Pounceys were college teammates at UF with former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who is awaiting trial on murder charges.

In October, when the Dolphins played in New England, Pouncey was served a subpoena in connection to the Hernandez case. He testified before a grand jury in December.

Sports Illustrated reported that Pouncey was questioned about gun trafficking issues and that he might be used as a witness against Hernandez.

Pouncey, 24, made his first Pro Bowl appearance in January. His contract ends after the 2014 season and he could receive a contract extension as soon as this summer.

While the Dolphins cleaned house of most of the people criticized in the NFL investigation, new General Manager Dennis Hickey recently praised Pouncey.